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The following are the Top 5 social networking websites (and a couple of bonus sites). These websites are used to build online groups of people who share similar interests. It is a new, and popular, way to communicate and share information. Social networking websites are being used regularly by millions of people across the world.

The top 5 social networking websites, based on visits per month, as of August 2009 are:

#1. Facebook
#2. MySpace
#3. Twitter
#4. Linkedin
#5. Tagged

#1. Facebook (http://www.facebook.com)
2.2 billion visits/August 2009

After 5 years of being second fiddle to MySpace, Facebook finally passed MySpace to be the largest social network on the web in April 2008. They have over 300 million active users world-wide. Facebook was originally developed for the high school and college demographic but the fastest current growing demographic are those 35 years or older.

#2. MySpace (http://www.myspace.com)
666 million visits/August 2009

In 2006, MySpace was the no. 1 social network on the web with 100 million users. Today, they still boast approximately 200 million active users which makes MySpace second on the list of top 5. At one time, MySpace was signing up 500 thousand new users a week. MySpace still dominates Facebook in the U.S. Market but is expected to be surpassed by Facebook in the year 2012.

#3. Twitter (http://www.twitter.com)
149 million visits/August 2009

Twitter is unique compared to the two above it. It is a micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Since its creation in 2006, it has gained popularity worldwide - especially due to the publicity that athletes and actors give it as a utility to update fans with their current status. The growth of Twitter is incredible, however, only 40 percent of Twitter's users are retained.

#4. Linkedin (http://www.linkedin.com)
54 million visits/August 2009

Linkedin's focus is more of a professional networking website versus a social networking website. It is the oldest networking site of the top 5. It's humble beginnings started in 2003 and it was catered to 'adults' versus the viral marketing campaigns to draw teenagers and college students to Facebook and Myspace. Linkedin appeals to the professionals between 25-65 years of age.

#5. Tagged (http://www.tagged.com)
43 million visits/August 2009

Members use Tagged to keep in touch with friends and to make new ones. The site rounds out the "Top 5" but beware - it is the subject of customer complaints for sending bulk mail and is regarded as a spamming site and an "E-mail scam". Time Magazine even called Tagged.com "The World's Most Annoying Website."

There are other 'not-so-popular' social network sites on the web but have not hit that 'tipping point' where everyone jumps on board and creates mass appeal. These websites cater to specific groups of people with specific interests. It is not uncommon to belong to one or many of the "Top 5" as well as the not so popular ones below.

Some other social networks to visit are:

deviantART (http://www.deviantart.com)
16 million visits/August 2009

A social network to create the most powerful outlet in the world for known and unknown artists alike. Share your art, and experience new art from around the world.

Mulitply (http://www.multiply.com)
2.3 million visits/August 2009

Here is a secure, family-friendly media sharing social network. It is a user-friendly site where you can create, share and discuss your blog, photos, and videos with more of the people you know, and fewer of the people you don't.

Tribe (http://www.tribe.net)
843 thousand visits/August 2009

A 'city-specific' social network catering to people in, but not limited to, your neighborhood, or people who live in your city that share a common interest with you.

Social networking continues to grow at an incredible rate. According to a study by Nielsen Online, the amount of time spent on social networking sites in the US has shot up by 83% from 2008 to 2009. There are hundreds of different social network websites that you can join. Finding the right one might mean joining several first and seeing what it can do for you.

Resources:
Statistics on Monthly visits from Compete.com

Learn more about this author, Glenn Magas.
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